The band released their debut EP, I Saw Such Things in my Sleep EP, in September 2005; all 1000 copies sold out on the day of release. In January 2006, Guillemots were awarded fifth place in the BBC's Sound of 2006 list of favourite up-and-coming acts.
Their full-length debut LP, Through The Windowpane was released in July 2006, including Made-up Lovesong #43 from the Such Things EP and other previous singles Trains To Brazil and We're Here. The album's release date was timed so it would be eligible for the 2006 Mercury Music Prize, and the album did make the shortlist.
During the recording sessions for the album, the band recorded an EP entitled Of The Night made up of one song written by each band member. It was released via the internet on Valentine's Day 2006 and performed live in its entirety at the BBC Electric Proms 2006, with the BBC Concert Orchestra. Their performance of Bad Boyfriend was particularly memorable for the band donning animal masks, and Fyfe crying "Take me to orchestral paradise!" before the song's orchestral culmination. The EP was eventually released on CD and LP in November, to independent music shops only.
They were Scissor Sisters' support on their stadium tour in late 2006 and released a reworked version of Annie, Let's Not Wait, on 15 January 2007.
The latest album 'Red', which features an even more eclectic mix of influences and ideas, was released on March 24th 2008.
The band had a short break following 'Red', in which time Dangerfield released his first solo album, 2010's 'Fly Yellow Moon'.
Guillemots returned with critically praised 'Walk The River' in 2011.
In May 2012 the band announced that they would be writing and recording four seasonally themed albums over the remainder of the year and in to early 2013, starting with 'Hello Land!'
Trains to Brazil
Guillemots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm trying to keep my back from wall,
The prophets and their pawns have had another success
I'm wondering why we bother at all
And I think of you on cold winter mornings
Darling they remind me of when we were at school
Nothing really mattered when you called out my name
In fact Nothing really mattered at all
But I won't get me down
I'm just thankful to be facing the day
'Cause days don't get you far when you're gone
It's 5 o' clock on a Friday morning
One hundred telephones sit and ring
One of them's from someone who knew you
And I still think of you on cold winter mornings
Darling they'll still remind me of when we were at school
When they could never have persuaded me that lives like yours were in the hands of these erroneous fools
And to those of you who live your lives from one day to the next
Well, let them take you to next!
Can't you live and be thankful you're here?
See it could be you tomorrow, next year
The song Trains to Brazil by Guillemots explores themes of despair, apathy, and the unpredictable nature of life. The lyrics begin with the singer reflecting on the world's problems, with the "prophets and their pawns" having "another success." The singer questions the point of trying to fight back against these injustices, but finds solace in memories of a loved one, who made everything feel worthwhile.
The second verse takes place several hours later, with the singer receiving a call from someone who knew the person they were thinking of in the first verse. The memories of the loved one still bring comfort, but also anger at the foolishness of people who hold others' lives in their hands. The singer then encourages the listener to appreciate their own life, as it could easily be taken away at any moment.
One interesting aspect of the song is its title, which refers to Brazil's extensive railway network. The song seems to reference this network as a metaphor for life's journey, with the unpredictability of the railways representing the unpredictability of our own paths.
Line by Line Meaning
It's 1 o'clock on a Friday morning
The singer feels trapped and is reflecting on the futility of life.
I'm trying to keep my back from wall
The singer is trying to avoid a difficult situation.
The prophets and their pawns have had another success
The singer is frustrated with the people in power who continue to win.
I'm wondering why we bother at all
The artist feels hopeless and is questioning the purpose of life.
And I think of you on cold winter mornings
The artist remembers a person they care about during difficult times.
Darling they remind me of when we were at school
The person the singer remembers is connected to their past.
Nothing really mattered when you called out my name
The singer felt happy and loved when the person they care about showed them attention.
In fact Nothing really mattered at all
The artist realizes that the important things in life are often simple and based on human connection.
And I think about how long it will take them to blow us away
The artist is considering the possibility of a disastrous event that could end their life.
But I won't get me down
The artist is trying to stay positive in the face of adversity.
I'm just thankful to be facing the day
The singer is grateful for the opportunity to be alive and experience another day.
'Cause days don't get you far when you're gone
The artist is reflecting on how fleeting life can be.
It's 5 o' clock on a Friday morning
The singer is recalling a specific moment in time.
One hundred telephones sit and ring
The singer observes the chaotic and impersonal nature of modern technology.
One of them's from someone who knew you
The singer receives news related to the person they care about.
And I still think of you on cold winter mornings
The person the artist cares about continues to be a source of comfort during difficult times.
Darling they'll still remind me of when we were at school
The memories of the person the artist cares about are tied to their past experiences.
When they could never have persuaded me that lives like yours were in the hands of these erroneous fools
The singer remembers a time when they didn't believe that people in power were capable of causing harm.
And to those of you who live your lives from one day to the next
The singer is addressing people who are simply going through the motions of life.
Well, let them take you to next!
The artist is encouraging people to embrace life and not take anything for granted.
Can't you live and be thankful you're here?
The artist is urging people to appreciate the gift of life and make the most of it.
See it could be you tomorrow, next year
The artist is reminding people that life is unpredictable and can change at any moment.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: FYFE DANGERFIELD HUTCHINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind